Loyola College - Review Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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LOYOLA: COLLEGE REVIEW 29 in astronomy. Lately, I had asked one of our students to go up to McGill to learn the name and address of the secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He saw Professor Weir and was told that, in his opin- ion, Father Kavanagh was “the only astron- omer in Canada.” Prior to that, again by a McGill man, a statement was repeated to me from one of the professors that Father Kav- anagh was the only Canadian whose work as an astronomer is known outside of Canada. Father Rickaby was an old friend of Isidor's, and. was at Stony- hurst when [Isidor was there. I have a photograph ої his which he sent to Isidor. Father Rick- aby would be able, І am sure, to give: you interesting in- formation about something in Isidor’s career while at Stonyhurst. For in- stance, hediscovered some fossil for which geologists had been long in search. The British Association was at that time in session somewhere in England, and a number of the geo- logical section went to examine the fossil in situ. The event was considered of such importance by the authorities at Stonyhurst that, I believe, they invited 500 members of the British Association, or at least a very large number of them to Stonyhurst, where they were entertained very splendidly. On that occasion, Sir William Dawson was among the visitors and expressed himself as very happy that this honor should come to a Canadian and hoped that Isidor would be sent to Canada where, as he said, geology was almost an untrodden field. On Isidor’s return to.Canada Sir William Dawson was very kind to him and made him welcome to use the McGill museum, which was found very useful. I mention all this to you, not because you can find in it anything sufficiently reliable to refer to in a biographical notice. I merely in- tend it as a suggestion that you may obtain the necessary information either from Father Rickaby or from someone at Stonyhurst, who perhaps would be able to provide information you would like to have, Father Perry, who as you know was in his time looked upon as the astronomer of Eng- land, came to Can- ada with the British Association and brought Isidor with him. With kindest ге- gards, І am, dear Father Hingston, Yours sincerely, HENRY J. KAVANAGH P.S.—Mr. A. Hill- iard Atteridge, some of whose writings you have seen in America,was afam- Шаг contemporary of Isidor's at Stony- hurst. А letter c o E. J. Bellord, 8 Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1, England, would reach him. H. J. К. THE REVEREND ISIDOR J. KAVANAGH, S.J. LINGERING illness of eight years, А result of paralysis, preceded the death of Father Isidor J. Kavanagh. so well known to generations of Loyola boys. For sixteen years he taught physics and. chemistry in our college, and old. stu- dents will recall the many successful experi-

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28 LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW climate of Bermuda for the winter months. The change seemed to do him good, but he, better than anyone else, was aware that his was a malady for which there is no cure on this side of the grave. He had attended his very dear friend Father Gregory O'Bryan, S.]., first Rector of Loyola, and had been with him when the latter died, and he was often heard to repeat that his own death would be like Fr. O'Bryan's. It was, only the agony was longer; so very painful indeed, that to the loved ones who in powerless anguish watched him suffer, his death seemed almost a relief. It was remarked that even in those last mo- ments, his characteristic unselfishness did not forsake him and that in the midst of intense suffering his concern was not for himself but for those to whom he was causing so much trouble and pain. He died of angina pectoris, in the Hotel Commodore, New York, in the early hours of Passion Sunday, March 13th, fortified by the rites of Holy Church. A few hours later masses were being said for him at Loyola, and prayers were being asked from many of the pulpits in Montreal. The funeral took place from his parish church, St. Anthony's, on the following Wed- nesday, and though announced as private was largely attended, especially by friends of both families and by the medical profession. Apart from his own family, Dr. McCarthyis survived by a brother, Mr. James McCarthy, C.E., of Quebec City, Vice-President of Price Brothers Lumber Company, and by a sister, Mrs. W. G. Warner. Of James McCarthy it may be said, without fear of exaggeration, that there are in Quebec few, if any, more univer- sally esteemed and respected, or more prom- inent in leadership, or more unselfish in the judicious and generous bestowal of time and wealth in the furtherance of every good cause. Loyola had reason to know, in its campaign of April, 1918, of this ensemble of qualities. Dr. McCarthy leaves to mourn his loss a widow, younger daughter of the late Senator Edward Murphy, a daughter Miss Ursula, and a son Edward “Teddy,” who was at Loyola from 1903 to 1908, but since his return from the war, has been in the north country in the employ of the Laurentide Pulp and Paper Company. One little fact should suffice of itself to com- mend Dr. McCarthy to the remembrance of Loyola boys. Itisverylargely to Dr. McCarthy that they owe the lengthening of the Christmas holidays. In the early days of Loyola, in con- formity with the practice then universal in the Catholic schools and colleges of this province, two days were considered sufficiently long vacations at Christmastide. Dr. McCarthy thought otherwise, and he pleaded his case so well, that he (and doubtless others also!) had the satisfaction of seeing them lengthened. Dr.. McCarthy was pre-eminently a family man, one who sought and found his enjoyment exclusively in his own family circle. He was a man of study, of wide reading and varied in- terests; but shy and retiring and with a real aversion for public functions. А member of the University, the Mount Royal and other clubs, he maintained hardly any connection with them beyond the payment of his dues. 'To the suffering poor he was ever a friend in whom they were sure of a generous response. To all who came in contact with him. he was the gentle-man in the original sense of these words. To the Faculty of Loyola, he was, at all times the model of the college physician. Many of his good friends of the College Fac- ulty have pre-deceased him, the last ones being Fathers Isidor Kavanagh and Gagnieur, whose obituaries appear in this same number of the Review. May they all soon meet again іп unending friendship, and share together the reward of their good work, in which they had, while on earth, a common interest. At Loyola neither he nor they will soon be forgotten. R.I.P. То his sorrowing family the faculty and the students, past and present, offer their heart- felt sympathy. —W. H. Hingston, S.J. Father I. J Kavanagh, S.J REVEREND FATHER HINGSTON, S.J., Rector, Loyola College, Sherbrooke Street West, MONTREAL. Dear Father Hingston: I have your letter of the 29th in which you speak of a biographical notice you are prepar- ing for.the Review. There is no doubt that Father Isidor was much thought of by people here who are versed

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30 | LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW ments which, with only the most primitive materials at hand, he succeeded in making. Father Kavanagh's taste for physics and chemistry revealed itself from his earliest years. Even while a student at St. Mary's College (1870-77), he spent the most of his time dur- ing school hours in the laboratory, and it was evident that, after he became a Jesuit, his preference for these sciences would be respect- ed and that time would be allowed him for their ample development. At the close of his course in St. Mary's, in 1877, heentered the Order at Sault au Recollet and, in 1879, was sent to England to continue his higher studies. Two years in London ге- viewing his classics, three years at Stonyhurst studying philosophy, and one year in research work in Victoria University, Manchester, com- pleted his training for the professor's chair, which he was to occupy for a quarter of a cen- tury in various Jesuit colleges in Canada. While ш England he had unusual oppor- tunities for widening his field of knowledge. Besides the ordinary course of mental and moral philosophy at Stonyhurst, he studied astronomy under Father Stephen Perry, S.J., R.A.S., who was looked upon as the greatest astronomer of his day in England and who was: twice chosen.by the British Government to head missions sent at its expense to observe transits of Venus and solar eclipses in different parts of the world. The young Jesuit showed such aptitude for.this attractive science, that he was chosen assistant to Father Walter Sid- greaves, Father Perry's successor in the Stony- hurst observatory, an institution which 15 credited with furnishing the longest and most complete record of magnetic observation. In Manchester, Father Kavanagh had the privi- lege of studying under Dr. Balfour Stewart and Sir Henry Roscoe. Under these two able professors he spent a whole year in physical and chemical research. While there his genius for practical experimental work soon brought him much favorable notice. He is credited in Roscoe's Manual of Chemistry with the devis- ing of an important experiment. Father Kavanagh returned to Canada in 1884 and began his long career as a teacher of science and mathematics, first in Quebec, then in Montreal, in the Jesuit House of higher studies on Rachel Street, where he spent several years, and where a number of ingenious instruments, the results of his own handiwork, are still preserved in the laboratory. He re- turned to England іп 1890 to complete his theology at St. Beuno's in North Wales. After another year given over to study in London, he came back to Canada and taught science for eight years in St. Mary's and in St. Boni- face. While in Manitoba, he was mathemat- ical examiner in the University. His relations with Loyola began with the beginnings of the college in 1896. He was one of the charter members at the incorporation and, while teaching in St. Mary's, he followed the progress of our institution and accom- panied it in its migration from St. Catherine Street to Drummond Street, thence to its pres- ent site on Sherbrooke Street West. Notwithstanding a busy life as professor, he found time for other functions. He read papers on botany before the Montreal Natural His- tory Society, while it occupied its old head- quarters on University Street, and received the congratulations of its veteran chairman, Sir William Dawson. His reputation as an expert with the telescope secured for him membership in the Royal Astronomical Soci- ety of Canada and, as a member of the council of that body, he was appointed by the Cana- dian Government in 1905 to accompany Pro- fessor King's solar expedition to Labrador. At various times he àcted as chaplain to the Royal Victoria Hospital; he filled a similar office at the Montreal Sailors’ Club, and for a short season was editor of The Canadian Messenger. During the summer holidays һе gave retreats to various religious communities. He took part, now and then, in parochial missions, and was always ready to aid the local clergy when his help was required. у Towards the end of his active career, he directed the English-speaking section of an organized body of Canadian pilgrims to Paray: le-Monial, while the late Father Pichon, di- rected the French-Canadian section, and His Lordship the Bishop of Victoria, B.C., took command of this joint-pilgrimage to the shrine of the then Blessed, now Saint, Margaret Mary. Father Kavanagh was engaged in these and similar works when the final warning came, but the heroic religious was not unprepared. While his eight years of painful inactivity was a strong test of his virtue, he accepted the will of God with complete resignation. His long